The good, the bad, and the ugly [dog foods]

27 February 2023

The team at AA Pet Insurance are all too aware of ‘the look’ that can be thrown our way when our dogs are after a morsel of hooman food. Being the amazing pet parent you are, you’ll likely already know that some foods are strictly ‘off the table’ to help keep your canine safe. But it’s always worth brushing up on the list, because while some items may not come as a surprise; others could be more unexpected. But never fear, we’re here to give you a refresher on the good, the bad and the ugly [dog foods].

Pet foods final

 

Pet foods bad final

 

1. Chocolate:

All us humans need to worry about is the calories! For dogs though, chocolate can be very, very dangerous. It contains a poisonous compound known as theobromine, and the amount of it varies in different chocolates (with higher amounts found in darker chocolate)1. With Easter just around the corner, it’ll be important to keep vigilant about where chocolate is stored around the house, to avoid accidental exposure.

Symptoms: Diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid breathing, muscle tension, and seizures.

Alternative: Carob based treats because they don’t contain theobromine and are just as delicious.

 

2. Garlic/Garlic family:

Although commonly used by humans for its medicinal benefits, garlic, and its family of vegetables (onions, leeks, shallots, chives etc.) don’t see the same benefits for dogs. These vegetables are a part of the allium family and happen to be harmful to your pup’s red blood cells2. When cooking up a storm in the kitchen, be mindful that your pooch doesn’t get a lick in, otherwise a lovely dinner could turn into an unplanned vet visit.

Symptoms: Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, discoloured urine, and excessive salivation.

Alternatives: Carrots, cabbage and kale are all vegetables that are healthy for dogs.

 

3. Avocado:

The cost of avo on toast is much debated in NZ, but there’s no argument that it should be a miss for your fur baby. That’s because avocados contain persin, which is a toxic fungicide that triggers a flurry of issues (some that could even lead to death) for pooches and most other pets too3. Dogs are fortunately stronger than most when it comes to persin, but by no means should you let them try it. Avocados are high in fat, which isn’t good for dogs, especially in large quantities as this can cause pancreatitis. Avocado stones also pose a big choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, and body/stomach-ache.

Alternatives: Banana, strawberry and watermelon.

 

4. Milk/Milk products:

Milk? Yes milk! This surprised some of us too. Although it might seem normal for a dog to quench their thirst with a delicious bowl of milk - it actually isn’t. Regular cow milk contains lactose, and most of our four-legged friends are lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t break down sugars in milk4. If you do have any spillages of regular milk, make sure to clean it up swiftly before your dog makes a beeline for it!

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, and flatulence.

Alternatives: Water.

 

5. Grapes/Raisins:

Grapes and raisins of any kind can cause kidney failure in dogs (and cats)5, not exactly something any owner would want their pup to experience! So be careful when using raisins for baking or just snacking in general, as they are small and can be easy to drop on the floor mid-mouthful.

Symptoms: Changes to drinking habits (increased or decreased water intake), weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, changes to urination, and bad breath.

Alternatives: Banana, strawberry and watermelon.

 

6. Cooked bones:

A dog and a bone might seem like a perfect match, but it is quite the opposite. Be careful with bones in general, but cooked bones should never be on the menu for your pooch. That’s because, unlike raw bones, cooked bones can be brittle and can shatter without much force6. As you can imagine, this means a possible painful experience for your poor fur baby when the bones pass through their digestive system.

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, drooling, coughing, choking, and weakness.

Alternatives: Cooked lean meat with no fat e.g., chicken breast (fatty meats can cause pancreatitis).

 

7. Beer/Alcohol:

While a tipple might prove fitting for us on a hot summer afternoon, any alcohol is dangerous for our dogs and can cause alcohol poisoning, with small dogs being much more likely to suffer from it7. When enjoying a beverage containing alcohol, make sure that it’s out of reach from your pooch.

Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, drooling, and tiredness.

Alternatives: Water.

 

8. Tea/Coffee:

Some teas and coffees contain milk which we already know is not good for dogs, but the caffeine is toxic too8. Dogs experience the same energy boost that we do, but the level of the high is not equal – in fact it’s awfully high and unsafe.

Symptoms: Jitters, high heart rate, agitated and vomiting.

Alternatives: Water or pet milk.

 

Please note: Any snacks/supplemental feeding should be factored into the overall caloric intake for the day and so the normal food should be adjusted accordingly. None of these foods constitute a complete and balanced diet for pets.

 

Sources:
  1. Hazel, S.J. (2018) “Food chemistry: Why can’t dogs eat chocolate?”, Chemistry in Australia, p. 31. Available at: https://search.informit.org/doi/epdf/10.3316/ielapa.503455641432026 (Accessed: 17 February 2023).
  2. Paul, G. (2012) "How Onion and Garlic Ruined My Research", Semantic Scholar, p. 2. Available at: https://www.isical.ac.in/~goutam.paul/onion.pdf (Accessed 17 February 2023).
  3. Robers, B. (2021) "20+ Foods Cats Can't Eat (Avoid Them!)", CatVills. Available at: https://catvills.com/things-cats-cant-eat/ (Accessed: 17 February 2023).
  4. Burke, A. (2022) "Can Dogs Drink Milk?", American Kennel Club. Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-drink-milk/ (Accessed 17 February 2023).
  5. Mazzaferro, E.M. et al. (2004) “Acute renal failure associated with raisin or grape ingestion in 4 dogs”, Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 14(3), pp. 203–212. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230166185_Acute_renal_failure_associated_with_raisin_or_grape_ingestion_in_4_dogs (Accessed 17 February 2023).
  6. Lonsdale, T. (2001) “4,” in Raw meaty bones: Promote health. NSW, Australia: Rivetco P/L.
  7. Gilpatrick, J. (2022) "Can Dogs Drink Alcohol?", Great Pet Care. Available at: https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-health/can-dogs-drink-alcohol/ (Accessed 17 February 2023).
  8. Arnold, V.L. (2022) "Can Dogs Drink Coffee?", petMD. Available at: https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-drink-coffee (Accessed 17 February 2023).

 

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AA Pet Insurance policies are brought to you by the New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated (NZBN 9429042781608, FSP 41189), are administered and managed by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd, (NZBN 9429049378085) and are underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (NZBN 9429042129851, FSP 480747).

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